“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalm 1:1
“The Lord takes care of me as his sheep; I will not be without any good thing” (BBE); “I have all that I need” (NLT); there is nothing I lack (HCSB).
Abraham faced the greatest trial of his life when he was ordered to sacrifice his son Isaac, but he set out to obey. As the two of them trudged slowly up to Mount Moriah, the place appointed by God, Isaac carrying the wood asked his father, “The fire and wood are here; but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham replied,“God himself will provide the lamb, my son.” Atop the mountain just as Abraham lifted the knife to slay his son, he heard the angel of the Lord (Genesis 22:1-8).
“Do not lay a hand on the boy… Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”
Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided”(Genesis 22:12-14 NIV).
Jehovah Jireh – the Lord will provide.
Abraham was rewarded for his faith – but what motivated his unhesitating obedience? He had discovered, over the years, that God was faithful to supply every need and fulfil every promise. He had in the course of a lifetime experienced 1. God’s unerring truthfulness, 2. His faithful provision, and 3. His miraculous intervention. In combination, these traits could produce only one outcome – the restoration of Isaac, a resurrection, if necessary.
Hebrews explains that “Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death” (Hebrews 11:19 NIV)
Had not God promised him that through Isaac, he would be the ‘father of many nations’, and all nations would be blessed through his offspring? None of these promises could be fulfilled if Isaac were to die at that stage. God had to intervene for His own honour was at stake.
The psalmist David also experienced these 3 traits in God’s character and reached the same conclusion – the Lord is a good provider, a keeper of promises and a truthful God. He certainly deserves our trust.
Whenever the Israelites that Moses led out of Egypt witnessed an alarming or contrary sign, they reacted with horror, anger and rebellion. They might just as well have been echoing Pharaoh’s words – “I don’t know the Lord and I will not obey Him” – by their actions.
In contrast, Abraham did not question God – he simply set forth to obey. We prove our love for God by 1. trusting in His care even in difficult circumstances; 2. obedience in the interim period between the giving of a promise and its fulfilment; and 3. patience when He delays. Trust, obedience and patience – are not feelings, but choices that we make each day with God’s help, and habits that cultivate through consistent practice. The result is a replacement of fear with a quiet confidence and an attitude of hopeful rejoicing and contentment.
“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NASB
God will supply for all our needs – not according to the meagreness of our stores or the feebleness of our efforts – but according to His riches in glory. He is not constrained by the scarcity of our resources, but His supplies are unlimited. On our part, we must learn to rejoice each day in His love, care and provision. A peaceful and secure life is our undoubted inheritance as His flock.
Father, thank You for this wonderful revelation of Yourself as our Provider. We have no reason to worry, for You love and care are ever with us, and Your supplies will never run dry. Forgive us for the times we have doubted You and given in to fear. Teach us to rely on You more and more each day and enjoy the rest You have promised.
Ginger Tea & Sympathy 